Inside the Helmet: The Mental Health Needs of Student-Athletes
As local Friday Night Lights return this fall, so does the pressure facing our student-athletes.
Ryne Rush, Licensed Social Worker Therapist
Life Balance Counseling Peoria, PLLC
Many people have a profound love for the fall, and deservedly so. It is a season filled with transitions, change, and a palette of unique offerings not quite so accessible the rest of the year. Some love the weather, others the foods and traditions. For many people around our country, fall signals the beginning of a sacred American tradition: football season.
There are few things in life that compare to sitting in a packed stadium on a cool Friday night, the smell of popcorn in the air, and communities joining together to support their youth as they participate in one of our country's favorite pastimes. Together, coaches, players, and fans celebrate dramatic wins and grieve soul-crushing defeats. For players, they engage in what will surely be some of the most thrilling moments of their lives, while many fans get the chance to vicariously relive some of their most treasured memories through the lives of their children and grandchildren.
But over the course of the game, there are many more battles being waged on the field besides the one over the pigskin. Players and coaches carefully navigate many battles of the mind each and every game, not to mention practice. There are pressures to succeed that often come from many different places, such as friends, family, community, school boards, and even the players and coaches themselves. Mix this with the stress of balancing responsibilities for school, part-time jobs, family roles, and other commitments, and there is quite a lot going on in each student's head. Each player has their own unique set of circumstances to cope with.
What can we do to help our athletes thrive, both on and off the field? One obvious solution is to ensure that our student-athletes have access to appropriate mental health care when they need it. Due to time constraints and the cost of sports participation, student-athletes can face barriers to accessing appropriate mental health care. We all must be our students' biggest advocates in ensuring that their needs can be accommodated.
Coaches as Part of the Support System
Coaches can also play an important role in this effort. A 2022 national survey of 10,000 youth sports coaches found that only 18% felt confident in their ability to connect athletes with mental health supports, while just 19% felt confident identifying stressors that athletes may be experiencing away from the field. At the same time, 67% of coaches said they wanted additional mental health training.
These findings point to an important opportunity. Coaches do not need to become mental health professionals, but they can be better equipped to recognize warning signs, ask appropriate questions, create an environment where athletes feel safe speaking openly, and connect students and families with appropriate resources when additional support is needed. Coaches are often in a unique position to notice changes in an athlete's behavior, mood, or engagement because of the amount of time they spend with their players. Providing them with appropriate training can help make them an important part of the support system surrounding student-athletes.
Beyond the Game
It is also important to be mindful of any non-sport-related stressors or mental health issues that our student-athletes may be facing. If they are already struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health concerns, adding the stress of competitive sports without adequate support may compound the challenges they are experiencing. Student-athletes and their families should be aware of the resources provided through their school and community, and consider seeking support from a qualified mental health professional when needed.
It is our responsibility to equip our student-athletes for success both on the field and in life. Let's not just cheer the victories between the goalposts, but celebrate the accomplishments that happen inside the helmet as well.
Happy football season!
Source: Prothero, A. (2022, November 30). Sports coaches want more training on how to address young athletes' mental health. Education Week.